Harry Hargrave, president of Royal Gorge Company of Colorado; Kevin Ditmore, Cañon City councilman and mayor pro-tem; and Mayor Tony Greer visit during the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park on Friday. (Brandon Hopper / Daily Record)

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park reseeding

The Emergency Watershed Protection Program, funded through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, has donated more than $385,000 of EWP funds and a Colorado Water Conservation Board grant of more than $400,000 will be used to treat the area burned by the Royal Gorge Fire. Crews won't be able to take down every burned tree but will be able to reseed a good portion of the burn with native grasses and wildflowers to help hold the remaining soil in place and reduce further erosion. In addition, funds will be used to bring in a hydro-ax that will mulch the burned trees on the less-sloping areas within the burn area and provide some extra protection from erosion and help protect the seeded areas. Plans are to treat some of the steeper areas within the burn using hand crews. Aerial seeding of the burn area is planned for next week, but may be delayed by snow.

Rick Romano, District Conservationist, Cañon City Field Office

The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park withstood the effects of a major wildfire and didn't let snow and cold weather hamper efforts to begin rebuilding.

About 70 people, including bridge officials, city and county representatives and other invited guests, braved cold, snowy weather Friday to commemorate the groundbreaking ceremony at the bridge and park.

"We are finally here after seven long months of demolition and planning and architecture," said Mike Bandera, vice-president and general manager of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. "Next week, weather permitting, buildings will start going up around here and the black trees will start coming down next week, too."

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Bandera said the first rebuilding phase of the park will include a new 14,000 square-foot visitors center, which is scheduled to open in August. It will include an entry, a gift shop, a restaurant, restrooms and storage. A separate building, also on the north side, will house restrooms and golf carts for handicapped use.

"There will be an outdoor pavilion that will have a covered area, but it will be open to the exterior, that will be overlooking the gorge, as well," said Kip Daniels, principle architect and managing director of the BeckGroup.

Cañon City Mayor Tony Greer during the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park on Friday. (Brandon Hopper / Daily Record)

A new zip line racing across the Royal Gorge and a new aerial gondola also will be added in the first phase, along with a large children's play area attraction. The first rebuilding phase is estimated to cost $23 million. Local subcontractors likely will be "big participants" in the project, said Frank Eppink, BeckGroup regional construction manager.

"It going to be quick, and we hope we can get some weather cooperation," he said.

He said subcontracts are being put out for bids and should be finalized in the next month or two.

"Our aim and desire with the new park is to reflect the resiliency of the region, the spirit of Colorado, God's splendor and man's ingenuity," Bandera said.

During Friday's festivities, Mayor Tony Greer read a proclamation from Gov. John Hickenlooper stating, "the Royal Gorge Bridge is an icon of tourism in the State of Colorado....and this celebration signifies the rebuilding of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park."

"Last June, as the fire was still blazing, we said that this is the beginning of a new era," Greer said. "As sad as it was, there was no loss of life, no injuries, so we are very fortunate, but we did lose our biggest asset."

Greer said the city is committed to creating a bigger, better, more exciting and more beautiful experience.

"We've been partners with the community at large since 1947, and we want it to become stronger — more responsible to the community and more responsible to our customers and our employees," said Harry Hargrave, president of the Royal Gorge Company of Colorado. "The beauty of our God we see everywhere we look, the ingenuity of mankind is everywhere."

Beginning March 15, while the park is under construction, guided tours will be offered on park vehicles, weekends only for $10 per person, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the grand re-opening in August. The Royal Rush Skycoaster, internationally acclaimed thrill ride also left unscathed, will be operational on the weekends.

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